Nineteen species of scarab larvae, collectively known as canegrubs, attack the root system of sugarcane in Australia. Thousands of hectares of sugarcane were damaged before the introduction of organochlorine insecticides in 1948. A controlled-release formulation of chlorpyrifos (suSCon Blue) and a non-residual formulation of ethoprophos (Mocap) replaced the organochlorines in the 1980s. Recent failures of both these products in some fields have intensified the search for alternative controls. This review covers the current knowledge of canegrub biology, ecology and control in Australia. An outline of research required to develop sustainable pest management for canegrubs is given. Knowledge of the population dynamics of canegrubs will be integrated with cultural, chemical and biological controls as appropriate for each pest in each region. A decision-support system will help pest managers to make appropriate choices.
Invertebrate predation on the soil-living stages of Australian so'ldier fly may be a significant factor in the regulation of thi's pest of North Island grasslands. La:bora'tory and field experiments on larvae of Conoderus exsul and Agrypnus variabilis (ElateI'idae), 'adults and larvae of Thyreocephalus orthodoxus (Staphylinidae), and aduIts '()If Rhytisternus miser (Carabidae) suggest that a'll may influence the densities of soldier fly through predation on larvae and/or eggs. The functional responses of C. exsul, A. variabilis, and T. orthodoxus to soldier fly larval density are discussed. Selective removal of predators from pasture with insecticide sh'Owed that predation may aocount for up to 75% loss 'of the early 'instars of soldier fly.
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